We recently connected with Drew St. Laurent and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Drew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
I started during COVID after losing my sales job selling construction equipment. I bought a drone, earned my pilot’s license, and began filming aerial footage under the name HighPeaks Aerial Imagery. What began as a small drone business quickly grew as more people saw the creative potential behind the work.
After moving into my first office at Seneca One, I expanded into photography, video, and marketing. Eventually, I opened my first studio on Exchange Street in Buffalo’s historic Larkinville District, where the idea for a full podcast studio took shape. We became the first in Buffalo to manage nearly a dozen shows at once.
Today, we’re in our fourth studio operating as Saint Laurent Marketing & Film, producing high-end content for brands, artists, and businesses across the region. It all started with one drone and the decision to build something of my own.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Drew St. Laurent, founder of Saint Laurent Marketing & Film, a Buffalo-based creative agency built on storytelling, design, and community. I grew up in Syracuse, served in the U.S. Army, and after leaving the military I eventually found my purpose through creativity.
The business began during COVID when I started flying drones under the name HighPeaks Aerial Imagery. What started as aerial work quickly grew into a full creative company offering commercial video, photography, branding, and marketing for clients across New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
What sets us apart is the heart behind the work. I approach every project with discipline, honesty, and a focus on people. Whether it’s a company looking to elevate its brand or a community story that deserves to be told, I treat each project like it matters — because it does.
I’ve recently found God in my life, and that faith has shaped how I see everything. It’s about service, excellence, and gratitude for every opportunity to create. I’m proud of what we’ve built and even more grateful for what’s still ahead.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In five years of running this business, I’ve learned that resilience is built through the moments that test you most. I started with almost no investment, only faith, drive, and a clear vision. Over time there were losses, projects that didn’t sell, people who walked away, and even a break-in that destroyed my Bailey Avenue studio. At the time, each setback felt like a major blow.
Looking back, every challenge was part of the process. The people who left were not losses. They were lessons. What felt like pain at the time became addition by subtraction, clearing space for growth, stronger partnerships, and better work.
Every time something goes wrong, I rebuild smarter and stronger. Resilience for me is not about bouncing back to where I was. It is about coming back better every single time.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my career came from an unexpected meeting. A local photographer rented my studio for a shoot, and that is when I met T. Martin, who would later become the host of What’sNurs, a talk show we built together from the ground up.
At the time, I was focused mainly on marketing and production work, but that meeting opened a new lane. T. Martin was also a football coach for the JV Falcons at Health Sciences Charter School, and together we created On and Off the Gridiron: The Falcon Way, a Hard Knocks–style documentary series that follows the team’s journey on and off the field.
What started as a simple studio rental turned into a partnership that reshaped the direction of my company. Having someone like T. Martin around pushed me creatively, expanded our reach, and turned a small idea into something that continues to grow today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wizpics.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saintlaurent_mf_inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568341385318
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-st-laurent-2684b5199/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saintlaurent_visuals
Image Credits
I took them all